Being well-prepared for your appointment will ensure that the doctor has all of the needed information to provide the best possible care for you. It will also help alleviate any unnecessary anxiety you may be feeling prior to your first appointment. Educate yourself on your symptoms by reviewing the content on this Web site. Also, take some time to review our staff page and familiarize yourself with the doctors. We look forward to your first visit.

Insurance and Billing

We accept most traditional insurance plans. Please contact our office to verify acceptance of your plan. Qualifications for insurance coverage may differ due to the uniqueness of each procedure. We are happy to file insurance for your reimbursement as long as you are free to choose your own dermatologist.

We accept checks or credit cards. We also offer a flexible payment plan. Please contact our Financial Coordinator for details.

Where are you located?

Please visit our locations page, and select your office city to find directions. See our locations

What services do you offer?

We treat a wide variety of skin conditions, including but not limited to, rashes, skin lesions, skin cancers, acne, warts, hair loss, nail fungus, dry skin, rosacea, etc. See our treatments

After my mole removal, how long should I apply ointment for?

After cleansing, apply a coating of Vaseline or polysporin. Keep ointment on the wound at all times until the wound is healed. Apply bandages over the wound for the first five to seven days.

Moles are more likely to grow back if you have a shave excision, as the procedure won’t be attempting to remove the entire mole.

How can I speed up up the healing?

Keeping the wound moist after the mole removal is essential and may help it heal up to 50% faster. Keeping it clean, bandaged, and hydrated with over-the-counter ointments like Vaseline as well as changing the bandage once or twice a day will help significantly.

Can dark flat moles be removed?

Dark flat moles can be removed by Laser. Depending on the size of the mole, Laser mole removal may not remove the mole all at once. So, it may take more than one session to remove the mole.

Why do moles get crusty?

Moles that begin crusting or scabbing can be an indicating factor for melanoma. A scabbing mole may be especially worrisome if it is also bleeding and/or painful. Other factors such as size, shape, color, or itching, can also be used to determine the severity of the mole.

Should all suspicious moles be removed?

If it seems suspicious and abnormal, then you may need to have it removed. Removing a suspicious mole and then examining it for cancer cells is an important step in catching melanoma early because catching it early is when it’s the easiest to treat.

How can you tell if a rash is serious?

Signs of a serious rash: Pain, warmth, swelling, crusting over of rash bumps, yellow discharge, green discharge, a bad smell.

How do you cure rashes?

Some relief measures to heal a rash: Cold compress, aloe vera, moisturizing lotion.

How long do rashes last?

Rashes will last depending on the rashes cause. However, most rashes usually disappear within a few days.

When should I worry about a rash?

Go to the emergency room if your rash is spreading rapidly. If the rash is spreading slower but is spreading over your body, it’s still a good idea to get it looked at immediately.

How long does an itchy rash last?

Every rash is different, some may be longer-lasting and will require long-term treatment to keep the rash under control. Whereas some rashes can usually clear up within 48 hours.

What are signs of skin cancer?

The signs of skin cancer are often associated with growth or lump on the skin. As well as, excessive redness and new swelling beyond the mole. Color also spreads past the mole and onto the surrounding skin. Some other symptoms that can be associated with skin cancer could be: Itching, pain, tenderness, and if a mole is oozing, scaling, and bleeding.

What does stage 1 skin cancer look like?

Early-stage skin cancer may resemble a small spot or discolored blemish that is smaller than the size of a fingernail. Its color can be identified by a red or brown hue. Sometimes white with flaking skin surrounded by blotches of darker skin.

What are the symptoms of skin cancer?

The most common sign of skin cancer is associated with your skin changing. This can be associated with a growth, a sore that does not heal, or a change in a mole. Not all skin cancers look the same.

What happens if skin cancer is left untreated?

If skin cancer is left untreated, it can grow deeper into the skin and damage surrounding skin, tissue, and bone. It may even become aggressive and spread to other parts of the body and can become life threatening.

Is skin cancer curable?

If the skin cancer is found early, it is highly treatable. Often times a dermatologist can treat early skin cancer by removing cancer as well as the surrounding skin.

Does skin cancer hurt?

Skin cancers often time don’t cause bothersome symptoms until they have grown large. At that point, they do hurt and may be associated with an itch and bleeding.

When should you suspect skin cancer?

You should suspect skin cancer when a new, expanding, or changing growth, spot, or bump on the skin.

Can skin cancer appear suddenly?

Some skin cancer lesions appear suddenly, others may grow slowly over time. For example, the crusty, pre-cancerous spots associated with actinic keratoses can take years to develop. While skin cancer like melanoma can appear suddenly. The lesions can vanish and reappear.

How painful is skin cancer removal?

There isn’t much pain, in-fact the discomfort is minimal. There’s just the initial stick of the needle. You may feel a bit of pressure, but you oftentimes do not feel pain. Afterward, most patients only experience minimal pain.

How do dermatologist treat acne fast?

Treating acne is a relatively slow and stepwise process. Patience is key since there is no overnight remedy. Each patient will have a customized treatment plan depending on their acne type and severity, location, skin type, and lifestyle.

Which creams remove pimples?

Depending on the severity of your acne, there can be different topical ointments that may be recommended.

Can ice remove pimples?

Ice will not cure pimples. It can, however, decrease swelling and redness, making the pimple less noticeable.

Does drinking water help prevent acne?

Certain kinds of toxins and bacteria will clog the pores on your epidermis can cause issues like acne and pimples. Drinking more water will ensure that you won’t suffer from severe pimples and acne. The more hydrated your skin is, the less your pores will clog.

Is going to a dermatologist worth it for acne?

Yes, going to a dermatologist is well worth it. Going to a dermatologist for acne can be one of the best things for your acne condition. You will be given guidance, treatments, and you will be able to avoid the issues that come with acne such as scaring, and dark spots.

How do dermatologists treat acne scars?

Acne scar and dark spot treatments may be started to further improve the appearance of your skin. This may include cosmetic procedures, such as acne peels, micro-needling, etc.

What do dermatologists recommend for cystic acne?

There are a number of treatments for different types of cystic acne. Depending on the root cause for the cystic acne, it could be treated with a simple diet change with a topical ointment to potentially having extractions depending on the severity.

What medicines treat hormonal acne?

Some hormonally induced acne can be treated via Retin-A, Tretinoin, Differin, etc.

What vitamins help prevent pimples?

Vitamin A helps unplug the blocked-up content in whiteheads and blackheads.

What cream is best for psoriasis?

Topical corticosteroids creams and ointments so that the inflammation can be reduced.

Can psoriasis be permanently cured?

There is treatment that can help you feel better. You may need topical, oral, or body-wide treatments. Even with severe psoriasis, these methods are the best options to manage it. At this time there is no cure for psoriasis since it is a chronic skin condition.

Why do I suddenly have psoriasis?

The immune system and genetics play major roles in developing psoriasis but there are usually triggers that initiate flares. The autoimmune process causes the skin cells to shed at an abnormally fast rate, which causes the buildup of thick, red, scaly plaques. Some common triggers of psoriasis flares are illnesses that weaken the immune system like strep infection, stress, and physical trauma.

Is psoriasis stress related?

Stress can be a common trigger for a psoriasis flare. It can also make the itch worse. Stress management is particularly important if you suffer from psoriasis.

Can I spread psoriasis by scratching?

Psoriasis flare-ups are triggered by something. Scratching a psoriasis rash does not cause it to spread from one location to another. However, it may slow the healing process.

Is vitamin D good for you if you have psoriasis?

Yes, Vitamin D analogues: complements topical steroid treatments.

Is psoriasis worse in the summer or winter?

It is worse in the fall and winter, the combination of dry air and colder temperatures with fewer hours of sunlight can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis.

Does exfoliating make psoriasis worse?

It can make it worse. Exfoliating with a scrub or loofah will get rid of dead skin cells and cause irritation to delicate skin that may cause new psoriasis patches.

What fabric is recommended if you have psoriasis?

The best fabrics for psoriasis would be: natural, super soft, lightweight, and breathable. Fabrics that are made from cotton, bamboo, and silk.

Is Mohs surgery serious?

Mohs surgery is generally considered safe, but there could be risks. Such as bleeding from the site of surgery. Bleeding into the wound from surrounding tissue. Pain or tenderness in the area where the skin was removed.

What’s worse basal cell or squamous?

Squamous is more serious because of its likelihood to spread.

Can I drive myself home after Mohs surgery?

If there was no cancer seen, the skin can be repaired, bandaged, and the patient is sent home cancer-free. The patient at that point will be free to drive themselves home if they feel comfortable.

Does insurance cover Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is covered by most plans, including Medicare.

What happens if basal cell goes untreated?

If left untreated, basal cells can become quite large, cause disfigurement, and in rare cases, spread to other parts of the body and even cause death.

What is the difference between excision and Mohs surgery?

Mohs exam processes 100 percent of the tissue margins, whereas in standard surgical excision only 1 percent of the margins are examined microscopically.

Skin Cancer Overview

Skin Cancer

March 22, 2022

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Some people are at a much higher risk of skin cancer than others, but that doesn’t prevent anyone from getting it. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer and if detected early skin cancer is generally curable.

What Are The Types of Skin Cancer?

There are three major types and they are:

Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Melanoma

What Are The Causes?

The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation also known as (UV). This exposure damages and changes our DNA in normal skin cells. Long-term exposure from sunlight to tanning beds that leads to sunburns puts you at a greater risk of developing this cancer in your lifetime. Out of the one million Americans that are diagnosed with skin cancer 419,000 of those are due to tanning bed-related use.

Skin Cancer Prevention

It’s pretty self-explanatory to know to put sunblock on when outside and stay away from tanning beds to help prevent it. However, the Skin Cancer Foundation does recommend that you:

Seek shade
Avoid getting a sunburn
Avoid tanning beds
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (UVA/UVB)
Examine your skin every month
See a dermatologist once a year

To learn more about the different types of skin cancer, view our overview page.

Would you like to learn more?

Schedule a consultation with SummitMD Dermatology.

Schedule Appointment

Skin Cancer Overview

Skin Cancer

What Are The Types of Skin Cancer?

What Are The Causes?

Skin Cancer Prevention

Would you like to learn more?

Schedule an appointment with a Summit MD Dermatology skin expert today

Summit MD Dermatology: your skin health is our passion

General Skin Care

Cold Sores / Herpes

Rashes

Nail Fungus

Moles (Nevi)

Chronic Skin Care

Vitiligo

Rosacea

Psoriasis

Eczema

Dry Skin

Skin Cancer Care

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma